How to find joy amid trials
As Christians, we expect the unexpected from our Lord. In the eyes of the world, there are many things that are seen to be stupid. Things that could not possibly be right. But then we have seen frequently that the mind of God is far beyond the mind of man. We have had to learn to trust God even when His way will lead to trouble. We know that in following His word in the days to come will certainly lead us into trouble. As Satan has influenced the world more and more. His family of Demons will hate Christians and persecute them more and more.
One of those things that the world cannot possibly understand. But Christians must not only understand but also accept as a part of God’s plan. Something that a Christian will come to embrace. Is to always be joyful even in times of trouble and persecution. This is a command from God. It is more than just a request, and must be a part of the life of a true Christian. How can any worldly person understand this when it seems so contrary to common sense?
In the book of James, written by James, the half brother of Jesus. We read his greeting to the 12 tribes of Israel and immediately following this; we read in James 1:2-4.
Jas 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
(3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
(4) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Consider it Pure Joy
Why would this be the first thing that James was to write about? Because of the importance of the message. James here also tells us why we should be joyful in times of trouble. In verses 3 and 4, we see troubles will test our faith and will strengthen us.
No doubt you have heard the old saying “what does not kill us will make us stronger”. Well, I think that applies to our faith. Troubles and persecutions should make us rely on God more than ever. Sometimes it may just lead to us being killed for His word. Consider Pro 14:32.
Pro_14:32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
Yes, even in death, we are told to seek God. Then in the book of Mathew, in the words of Jesus Christ Himself, we read the following.
Mat_10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
The Kingdom
The road to The Kingdom is straight and narrow. But it is pitted with potholes and with many obstacles that make this road appear too difficult to travel. Like I said earlier, something the worldly will never understand. But as long as we keep our eyes on the end prize, we shall not deviate from this road.
Many Christians believe in a health and wealth gospel. Thinking that when they accept Christ. Their lives will be a bed of roses and life will be easy with little or no problems. But when those times of trouble come. Troubles that Jesus has warned us to be prepared for and has warned us to expect. They question God why they are suffering and ask, “how can I possibly have joy in these circumstances?”
Peter also has something to say about this matter of always being joyful. We can see this in 1Peter 1:6-9. Again, it is very early in his message to the churches, so again, it must be of great importance.
1Pe 1:6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
(7) These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
(8) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
(9) for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Trials Strengthen Us
We can see from these 2 books that trials strengthen us. James says “consider it pure joy” and Peter “in all this you greatly rejoice”. As we come to understand what trials will do for us. We must learn to accept them and see the bigger picture and the benefits. Yes, the benefits of trials in our lives.
There are many examples of trials that we can experience in our lives. There are sickness, work-related problems, money problems, and many other trials that we must endure. We are not told to rejoice because we are having these trials. But to remain joyful, knowing that God will never leave nor fore-sake us under any circumstances. We remember, there is nothing in all creation that will separate us from the love of God.
There are many instances in the Bible where we are told to rejoice when the ordinary person would rather complain. Read Luke 6:22-23.
Luk 6:22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
Luk 6:23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
Here again, we are asked to do things that may appear silly to others, like rejoicing because we are being persecuted because of the Son of Man. The one thing that I would find hard to do from these verses is to “leap for joy”. I doubt very much that my body would be capable of leaping for joy these days, so maybe just some mental gymnastics will suffice as I rejoice.
The Book Of John
The book of John, Jesus Himself, gives us what I think explains joy in suffering.
Joh 16:19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?
(20) Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
(21) A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.
(22) So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
I think this is an excellent example for the ladies. Something we men cannot really grasp. No woman finds pleasure in the pain of childbirth. But as they take their new-born baby in their arms for the first time, they experience great happiness. All the while, we mere males can just look on in awe at our wives and their accomplishment. We have the best part of this experience. Having the joy of a new baby, but without the pain.
Suffering for Jesus is like this. Our pain will not last forever, but the joy of being with Him in His Kingdom. This will last forever. As long as we continue to keep the result in our minds during times of hardship, we can continue to experience joy.
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